Bella Vista Highline Repair Project: Mitigated Negative Declaration
NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
MONTECITO WATER DISTRICT
583 San Ysidro Road Santa Barbara, California 93108
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN the Montecito Water District (District; Lead Agency) has prepared a Draft Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS-MND) for the project listed below pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) State Guidelines §15000 et seq. Anyone desiring to comment on the IS-MND may do so in writing within the 30-day public review period commencing April 22, 2026 and concluding on May 22, 2026. All written comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on May 22, 2026.
Project Title: Bella Vista Highline Water Main Repair Project
Project Location and Project Description:
The proposed project consists of repairs to the existing Highline Water Main Pipeline at two locations along 2500 East Valley Road in the community of Montecito in unincorporated Santa Barbara County. The project would remove and replace two damaged pipeline segments within two ravines above East Valley Road that were exposed and displaced by landslides during a January 2023 storm event. Repair locations include the Eastern Pipeline Replacement (34.447927°, - 119.587045°), involving approximately 245 linear feet of pipeline, and the Western Pipeline Replacement (34.448116°, -119.587860°), involving approximately 110 linear feet. Project components include installation of an approximately 450 foot temporary aboveground bypass pipeline to maintain water service during construction, removal and underground replacement of damaged pipeline segments to meet current engineering and seismic standards, installation of geocells filled with native soil above the pipeline alignments to reduce future erosion, and installation of blowoff piping at both repair locations for future maintenance needs. Construction access would utilize one or more temporary routes via Cima Del Mundo Road or neighboring private properties, with limited vegetation clearing, and staging would occur at existing clearings near Romero Creek, near Cima Del Mundo Road, and adjacent to the work areas as coordinated with property owners. Construction would include trenching, temporary access road grading, management of onsite earthwork, pipeline dewatering and disinfection, and implementation of erosion control measures. Work activities would occur over an approximately three month period during daytime weekday hours.
Environmental Determination: Pursuant to the requirements of CEQA, an Initial Study was prepared, which describes the environmental impacts of the project and concludes the project will not generate a significant adverse impact on the environment with the incorporation of mitigation measures BIO-1 through BIO-10, CR-1, GEO-1, and TCR-1 through TCR-3. Based on this assessment, a Mitigated Negative Declaration has been prepared.
Public Comments/Review: In accordance with Section 15073 of the State CEQA Guidelines, the Draft IS-MND is available for public review for 30 days from April 22, 2026 to May 22, 2026 online at www.montecitowater.com here or at the District office (583 San Ysidro Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93108) during normal business hours. Written comments must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 22, 2026 to:
Montecito Water District
Atten: Adam Kanold, Assistant General Manager 583 San Ysidro Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Or by email to: akanold@montecitowater.com
Montecito Water District’s mission is to provide an adequate and reliable supply of high quality water to the residents of Montecito and Summerland, at the most reasonable cost. In carrying out this mission, the District places particular emphasis on providing outstanding customer service, conducting its operations in an environmentally sensitive manner, and working cooperatively with other agencies. For additional information visit www.montecitowater.com, like Montecito Water District on Facebook, and follow on twitter @MontecitoWater.
